Housing in California: What Candidates Can Do

    So, all the candidates for governor of California talk about housing, and talk, and talk, and talk some more. Then what? Nothing. Nothing changes. People yell out loud: Fix this stupid situation. The solution is staring us in the face. More building. Please.

Problem No. 1: the cost of a building permit in California is the highest in the nation. Why is that? Because the legislature allows all the nay sayers to nudge out builders and buyers who want to be home owners in the state. 

$29, 500 the  average cost of a permit. That is just that-average. What an outrage. There's no need for this other than a policy that promotes sticking it to the prospective home owner/buyer.  Oh, mitigation costs for road/schools/ police/fire, etc. Part of this reasoniong is to shaft the people who voted for Prop. 13 almost 50 years ago who wanted to stay in their homes rather than be taxed out by annual property tax increases. So, "progressives " found the solution: permit fees.  Wanna liuve in California? Pay permit fees so high that they'll give you a nose bleed.

  Fees vary across the state-see Sf. Marin, Sonoma counties. These bastions of NIMBys lilke things the way they are: low population numbers, and enough rentals to allow a few workers to live in cramped apartments so they have jobs around the "hood doing what wealthy owners can't do: mow the lawn, clean the house.

  Don't forget utilities. Yes, you need utilities in your home, but California(Sacramento) has resstricted every utility you can think of: electricity, water, transportation, schools, roads, roads, roads, roads, and more roads restricted-We'd rather fund a "Train -to-Nowhere" @ a billion dollars per mile/half mile.

Gruesom Newsom-get out quick before the accountants find more over spending-axiom of Sacramento politics. 

Election DAy in CAlifornia

     So, today is the long awaited day of reckoning for all those candidates for the Governor's Office in Sacramento, CAlifornia. Exiting office holder, Governor Gruesom, will sit this one out as he prepares to man handle the Democratic Party to under write his bid for the White House in 2028. Good luck wirth that effort.

     Polls are opening in minutes, but mail drops are positioned all over the state to facilitate the voters ' efforts to cast ballots. Every registered  voter received a mail-in ballot weeks ago. Many voters have mailed in the two part ballot that includes all the gubernatorial candidates, Lt. Governor,  Head of Public Ed., Board of Equalization(districts),  congressional seat(s), and various ballot measures for taxation, tax extensions and a few local propositions.

   For coastal voters:

VOTE "NO" on Proposition B, the proposition to extend sales tax support for the largest tax drain in Marin and Sonoma countiess. This proposition will suck $50 millions of local dollars out of these 2 counties for another 30 years. Think of it: 1/4 cent sales tax gives this losser $50 millions every year. That is money that could help the local econoy, not line the pockets of do-nothing train toys and the operators.

Vote "NO on B".

  SO, don't forget to cast your vote: if you want change-vote. 

Welcome Cheng Li-wun, President of Taiwan's Koumintang

       Ms. Cheng Li-wun will spend two weeks in the USA on a tour helping to clarify the vision of cooperation with the US on geopolitical issues relative to the Beijing threats that continue to eminate from Beijing/PLA rumor mill.

     Her issues include upgrading defense and security in the Taiwan Strait, the other Strait in the international discussion.(see Hormuz). Despite its proximity being more than 100 miles, in this day and age, that is only a doorstep of a difference, especially given China's new surface navy and its capabilities. Combined with missile technology and drones, the island of Taiwan is in the backyard of Shanghai and Hong Kong.

    By the way, where is Jimmy Lai? Did the Chump ask Xi about Jimmy's plight while visiting last month? Who knows?

    So, the Chump may or may not have a meeting with Ms. Li-wun while she is in the US. It would be appropriate but the Oval has little to say these days about Taiwan v. Mainland Chinese. He probably is more concerned about the reflecting pool's bottom leaks and colors. How nice. 

Spurs v. Knicks

    The pundits are sooooooooo excited-they'll certainly enjoy this matchup: New York's Knicks and San Antonio's Spurs. While not exactly east -West, more closely North-South. It will be a contest that will reverberate around the sports world for quite awhile.

     The Champions League Final match between Arsenal and Paris Sainte-Germain was a big headline grabber. This matchup between two heavy weights will certainly rank up there, too. The nChampions League contest was settled in the usual sad way: PKs. After all the regular time and the extra periods, it came down to guess work and luck. But the Spurs and Knicks will not have to endure such antics. One will emerge victorious by virtue of the final score.

     The Knicks fans have waited a long time for this finals game-decades actually. San Antonio has waited, too. And there are stars aboard each team; all eyes will be on the 22 year old Frenchman : Victor Wanbamyama.He has only been playing at this level for 3 seasons. He's made quite an impression on fans, teammates, and all oppponents.

  He says he's excited and he wants to win it all. He might just do that. Watch 'em.